127. Icon on wood, "Saint Archdeacon Stephen - the first martyr", Greek school, 1772, rare piece, collection item

On the blue background at the top and green at the bottom of the icon, in the slightly indented field, Saint Stephen is depicted standing, wearing deacon's vestments: a golden sacos, decorated with flowers and rich gold thread and pearl embroideries, with an orar, the symbol of deacons, draped over his shoulders. In his right hand, he holds a golden censer by chains, and in his left, veiled hand, he supports a golden ark. He wears a halo around his head decorated inside with motifs made with a wheel. His face, with a typology characteristic of Greek icons, is modeled with abrupt transitions from the shadowed to the illuminated areas of the face. The saint's name is written in Greek letters, and the year is recorded with numbers. (A.D.)

Dimensions

width 14 cm, height 19 cm

Description

tempera and gold foil on wood

Research information

Saint Stephen, according to the New Testament, was a deacon in Jerusalem, considered the first Christian martyr or martyr condemned to death. According to Scripture, Saint Stephen was one of the seven men "full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom", chosen by the apostles to fulfill the ministry of deacon. He was one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, who followed Him everywhere and were witnesses to His deeds. Because of his deep faith and ability to perform miracles and signs, as well as being chosen to lead the other deacons, Saint Stephen was also called the archdeacon. In the context of the early Church, when the role of the deacon was much more important than today, Saint Stephen quickly attracted the attention of the Pharisees, who were dissatisfied with the fact that he publicly preached the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Found guilty of blasphemy, he was condemned to death by stoning. Taken outside the city, he was killed with stones, thus becoming the first martyr - the first to be killed for confessing faith in Christ. The tomb of Saint Stephen was discovered in 415, and since 560, his remains are, along with those of the Roman archdeacon Lawrence, in the crypt of the basilica "San Lorenzo fuori le Mura" in Rome.

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